Discolored toe in Bantam

by sara
(Carmarthenshire, south wales,G.B)

I have just purchased 3 Seabright bantams,one of my girls has a discolored toe. It's charcoal/brownish and a little irregular from her other toes. The other birds seem good. I am a new bantam owner and really want to get this right.

I have no background on the birds as they were bought from a farm auction 3 days ago.

She seems well, all my birds seem to be settling in well, just have noticed this tonight and I am a little concerned. I hope you can be able to put my mind at rest in whether I need to get my girl treated or not,thank you Sara.

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Sara, I take it that the bantam doesn't have a leg band on that may be too tight that is causing the discolored toe? If not, then I can only think that it might have a mild case of bumblefoot.

Bumblefoot can be seen in the swelling of the foot and / or discoloration of the toes due to a cut or scratch, usually under the surface of the foot, or as a result of bad bruising.

Bumblefoot can be caused by perches being too far off the ground or jumping down on rough ground. They injure their legs as they come off them down hard on them. Perches should never be more than 3 feet from the ground.

Check the foot thoroughly for any further injury which you may or may not find. If you do find an additional cut, making sure that the foot remains clean and doesn't get infected and going pussy. You can wash the foot with some warm water with just a little bit of iodine added to the water.

Separate her from the flock and keep her in a small cage if possible to observe her better. However, don't keep her away from the flock too long as she may have trouble being accepted back into the group.

If she is in pain, you can crush up 1/4 baby Aspirin and give it to her in some yogurt.

However, if she is not limping, has not cuts, is not in any obvious pain, just keep an eye on her and she should be back to normal within a week or so.

Let me know how you get on.

Regards
Kathryn

Comments for Discolored toe in Bantam

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Jul 06, 2014
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to kathryn
by: Anonymous

Kathryn,I am really sorry to hear that, poor thing, and that the rest of your brood have to be locked up as such. Hhopefully they will be able to roam free soon.

I've just built a huge aviary type run for my bantams, as I am out for a couple of hours walking my dog daily. I built the run so they had loads of room to run around as I live on a council estate and the cats around here are in abundance so can't leave them to run about without supervision. They don't like it much either but has to be done: They get so excited when I return home. I'm really enjoying them.

Take care Sara

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Thank you Sara for your kind words. Yes, they hate being locked up, although the are in a very large chicken pen so have plenty of room to run around, it is not the same as free ranging.

Anyway, they will be like that now until we either catch the culprit or wait until October when the sheep arrive and they can then go into the field with them.

Glad your bantams are giving you so much joy. Keep in touch.

Regards
Kathryn

Jun 28, 2014
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Turkey Predators
by: Anonymous

I'm so sorry to hear that,hopefully with your encouragement she will progress,poor thing,how do you manage with a broken leg and wing?

Can they recover on their own or do they need professional help? I would be devastated if anything happened to my brood: Fingers crossed she pulls through and makes a recovery of some sort,as always keep in touch,regards Sara.

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Thanks, Sara. Sadly she died on Thursday afternoon. She developed a lung infection and that was what finally took her off.

I was very upset, because I had gone to such lengths to save her, and thought that she would make it.

Turkeys are rather fragile birds, despite their size and shock in general to birds can be a killer on its own. I had heard of a chicken that had a stroke after witnessing one of its flock being caught by a predator.

So now my girls are on their chicken run, very unhappy until I can be sure that they are safe when they are free-ranging.

Regards
Kathryn

Jun 22, 2014
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Turkey attacked by Weasel
by: Anonymous

Hi Kathryn,
I'm so sorry to hear about your turkey, what a horrid thing to witness but just as well you were up to rescue her. I really hope you will be able to help her. Please keep me informed of her progress.
Regards Sara,

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Thank you, Sara,

Yes, not a nice thing to witness but I was able to rescue her. However, she has a broken wing and a broken leg.

She started off well in recovery, but I don't think she has the will power to pull through.

I have to coax her to eat and drink and now and she seems to have little inclination to want to do anything on her own. A very sad situation, but it is day 5 now, so I am still hopeful. Thank you for your concern.

I will keep you updated.

Kathryn

Jun 20, 2014
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bantam bruised foot
by: Anonymous

My bantam, Pepper is really well. Turned out that she had a bruised foot. The bruising was gone in 3 days, I am pleased to say and is quite happy in my garden.

Thank you very much for your concern.

Kind regards
Sara.

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Dear Sara, that is excellent news regarding your bantam. Glad to hear that it was only a bruising.

I wish I could say the same for my poor turkey hen who managed to get out of her coop at 5 a.m. this morning only to be attacked by a weasel. I witnessed the whole affair, so was able to rescue her. Not sure if she will make it though.

Shock and birds don't go well together. She has some surface injuries and it looks like she may well have torn ligaments in her leg.

Hopefully she will pull through. She only just started laying this week, too! Poor baby!

Regards
Kathryn

Jun 04, 2014
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bantam with foot problems
by: Anonymous

Thank you for your advice. I'm going to purchase some iodine tomorrow and try that. She doesn't seem to be in any pain but am going to keep a close eye on her.

Thank you once again and will keep you posted. Sara

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You are welcome, Sara. Hopefully your little bantam is well on the road to recovery. Keep in touch and let us know any updates.

Regards
Kathryn

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